Video: With a Single Stroke of a Pen, the NSS is Given Authority to Destroy Archives – Manukyan Discusses the Draft

At the extraordinary session of the National Assembly's 8th convocation, the issue of granting permission to destroy the NSS (National Security Service) archives is being discussed. MP Arthur Khachatryan from the 'Armenia' faction sought clarification from Deputy Minister of Finance Arman Poghosyan regarding which documents in the NSS archives are to be destroyed, and why this issue is being brought to the National Assembly now, as it could have been included in the agenda for discussion earlier if it were urgent.

Poghosyan, while presenting the draft on amendments and additions to the law on 'National Security Bodies', mentioned the issue of personnel changes, while failing to address the question regarding the archives. Khachatryan noted, 'I do not dispute either the urgency or the importance; however, if it is important, then a more appropriate time should have been allocated. Importance implies a deep and comprehensive discussion. Urgency means that the draft should have been presented sooner, not now, while saying it needs to be discussed quickly because a new regime will be implemented in a few days.'

It is noteworthy that during the extraordinary session, the National Assembly established that the second reading of the draft will take place within 24 hours after the first reading. Arman Poghosyan said he does not understand what specific documents are to be removed. He suggested addressing the archival issue during the substantive discussion of the matter.

Gegham Manukyan from the 'Armenia' faction also urged the public to pay attention to the fact that with a single stroke of a pen, the NSS is granted the authority to destroy documents, however, it remains unclear which documents are subject to destruction. It is not specified that the destruction of documents will occur only after declassification, a point raised by CPP MP Vilen Gabrielyan from the podium of the National Assembly. Previously, the NSS could only declassify.

Opposition MPs also question the urgency of the issue. In response to Manukyan's concerns and inquiries, CPP MP Vahagn Alexanderian stated that the matter was discussed in the Standing Committee on Defense and Security, where the concerns were addressed; however, opposition member Gegham Manukyan was not present at the meeting.